Flyers' Laperriere out for playoffs

PHILADELPHIA, April 27 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Flyers forward Ian Laperriere will probably miss the rest of the playoffs after being hit in the head with a puck, the team said Tuesday.

Laperriere suffered a mild concussion and a contusion of the brain when he was struck above his right eye during Thursday's series-clinching Eastern Conference quarterfinal victory over New Jersey.

Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren said Laperriere was spared surgery after being examined Tuesday by Dr. Joseph Maroon, chief neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh.

"I think this is significant," Holmgren said. "They saw a spot right there (on his brain) initially, and I think they were hoping, like we all were, that it would dissipate a little bit.

"Right now, it's not safe for him to play. It's hard to replace Ian and what he does, particularly on the penalty kill. He's a heart-and-soul guy on our team."

Laperriere played in all 82 games in the regular season and notched an assist in Philadelphia's five-game series win over New Jersey.